Industry News 1 May 2020

Keeping the nation smiling: the week in radio

We’re currently living through challenging times. Whether you tune in for the news, entertainment or a bit of companionship, it’s never been more important for radio to support its listeners.

You might be working from home, social distancing, or on the frontlines. Radio offers audiences a few moments of distraction, a voice in the room, and a bit of joy in a time when it’s needed more than ever. Some good songs, funny content and a few moments of collective positivity can all have an impact on your day.

Every Friday, we round up some of the best moments in commercial radio from the last seven days for your enjoyment. Whether you caught them live or want to listen back, check them out below.

 

A glorious celebration of love

After hearing that NHS workers Louise and Steffan had postponed their wedding due to the pandemic, JACKfm’s Morning Glory presenters Trev and Rich stepped in to help the couple say ‘I do’, with listeners invited to watch the livestreamed ceremony. As well as a bespoke wedding cake made, and flowers, food and beers donated, as a final surprise the station organised for their first dance song, Kodaline’s ‘The One’, to be performed live by none other than frontman Steve Garrigan.

 

Rachel Johnson joins LBC with a tribute to nurses

On her first show as an LBC presenter, Rachel Johnson, sister of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, admitted the last couple of weeks had been “a terribly scary time” for her family as she thanked the team at St Thomas’ Hospital for caring for her brother. She added that he had named two intensive care nurses – Luis from Porto in Portugal and Jenny McGee from New Zealand – and reiterated her thanks again to “everybody at the ICU at St Thomas’ for everything that you did to keep my brother safe.”

 

Heroic efforts

For the last month, Hits Radio has been running Hero Hour: 60 minutes of shout outs to the incredible people, submitted by listeners, who are working to keep us healthy, safe and fed during this time – from NHS staff on the frontlines to the supermarket workers feeding the nation and neighbours helping the vulnerable in their local area.

 

Moore of this kind of thing

To celebrate the 100th birthday of war hero Tom Moore, who raised over £30m for the NHS with his laps around his garden and topped the charts with his ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ duet with Michael Ball, More Radio in Sussex changed their name for the day to Colonel Tom Moore Radio. A fitting tribute.

 

He’s in the Endgame now

With the news that Adam Brown was moving from XS Manchester to Radio X, the team put together an excellent leaving gift in The XS Avengers – recapping his adventures on the station (including Man vs Tram) and wishing him luck in his next role.

 

Has your station launched a new segment, had someone interesting on a show or done something else great this week? Let us know by contacting coral.williamson@radiocentre.org